Aretha Franklin, wearing the hat that became an internet sensation, performs at the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009. The pride of Detroit and the Queen of Soul, her amazing voice entertained the world for decades. Ron Edmonds, AP

Aretha Franklin was the first female member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She was the winner of 18 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement nod, and was anointed the No. 1 top singer by Rolling Stone in its list of “100 Best Singers of All Time” in 2008. Detroit News archives

Aretha Franklin released her first album, “Songs of Faith,” in 1956. She would record more than 90 more during her long career, and earn the title The Queen of Soul. Detroit News archives

Aretha Franklin's pop music recording career began when she signed a record deal in 1961 with CBS/Columbia, but her career further expanded when she signed with Atlantic Records in 1967. By the end of the 1960s Franklin was at her peak as a vocalist. Detroit News archives

Singer James Brown joins Aretha Franklin for a performance at the Taboo night club in Detroit, Jan. 11, 1987, for a show which was taped for airing on HBO. Joe Kennedy, Associated Press

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Motown legend Aretha Franklin sings the national anthem at the beginning of WrestleMania III, March 29, 1987. Traffic was so bad getting to the Silverdome, she arrived just on time, with no time for a sound check. David Coates, The Detroit News

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Aretha Franklin joins George Michael during his Faith World Tour Stop at The Palace in Auburn Hills in 1988. The duo sang their Grammy winning hit, "I Knew you were waiting (for me)" -- their first performance together in concert. AP

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Franklin leaves New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit after funeral services for her brother Cecil on Dec. 31, 1989. Diane Weiss, The Detroit News

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Candice Bergen and Franklin sang "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" on Bergen's "Murphy Brown" show, June 22, 1992. CBS Television

Composer Morton Gould, left, and actor Kirk Douglas talk with Aretha Franklin following a dinner at the State Department in Washington, Dec. 3, 1994. The dinner was held to honor them as recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors of 1994. Also honored were songwriter Pete Seeger and director Harold Prince. (AP Photo/Doug Mills) Doug Mills, Associated Press

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Aretha Franklin sings the national anthem as the Detroit Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of NBA Finals on June 15, 2004. Robin Buckson, The Detroit News

President George W. Bush presented her with a medal at the Freedom Awards Ceremony at the White House. on November 9, 2005. Douglas A. Sonders, Getty Images

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Aretha Franklin sings at the memorial service of Rosa Parks at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Nov. 2, 2005. John T. Greilick, The Detroit News

Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music's commencement May 13, 2006 in Boston. Franklin, along with singer Melissa Etheridge, received honorary degrees for their achievements in music. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) Darren McCollester, Getty Images

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Aretha Franklin performs at the “Let Freedom Ring Celebration" for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2009. Daniel Mears, The Detroit News

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The Queen of Soul kisses Motown founder Berry Gordy after her performance at a Motown 50th anniversary gala at the Renaissance Center in Detroit on November 21, 2009. Brandy Baker , The Detroit News

Aretha Franklin gives a thumbs up after receiving an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at Harvard University in 2014. Montez Miller / Special to The Detroit News

Aretha brought down the house at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015, moving President Barack Obama and others to tears with a powerful "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Molly Riley / Getty Images

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In June 2017, a street near Comerica Park was renamed Aretha Franklin Way in her honor, at the corner of Madison and Brush streets. David Guralnick, The Detroit News

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At the street-naming ceremony, Franklin reflected on her early years performing in Detroit clubs.
“Detroit has been with me ever since,” she said. “They were with me when no one else knew who I was and I’ve been with them every step of the way.” Rachel Woolf, Special to The Detroit News

In this April 19, 2017 photo, Aretha Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Charles Sykes, Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

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